In Australia, shredded beef is not something you can buy easily. I haven't seen it anywhere except in restaurants.

I would like to know how I can make my own restaurant quality shredded beef; the same kind that appears in "Mexican" restaurants. Please also provide information on which cut of beef I should be using along with the process.

3 Answers
3

You can use Chuck to make your shredded beef. Cook it for a long time, at a low temperature, until a probe slides in and out of it with no resistance. Braising in a liquid seasoned with spices like cumin, garlic, and chili powder will get you the flavor profile you want (I recommend either finding a recipe or some trial and error).

using a crockpot is the easiest way. take beef brisket (around 2 pounds for 4 servings) and submerge in liquid in the crockpot. either use beef stock, seasoned water, or my favorite- beer. cook on low for 8-9 hours. remove the brisket from the crockpot and put on a cutting board. take two forks-using one to hold the brisket down, the other to pull at the brisket. work along the striations in the beer, and you should get pulled or shredded beef. put the now pulled beef into a bowl and ladle some of the cooking juices onto the beef to keep it moist. if you want to add hot sauce or bbq sauce at this time you can.

before adding to the crockpot, make sure to trim some of the larger fat junks off of the brisket. makes for pulling the beef later much easier.

I prefer a pressure cooker. Use a roast or some cheap cut of beef (or pork), cut it in chunks and pressure cook it for 10-15 minutes. Then, use two forks to pull it apart. If it is done enough, it falls apart and makes wonderful shredded beef. Flavorings can be added after that initial cooking.